Istanbul is Turkey’s largest city and the only major metropolis straddling two continents, split by the Bosphorus strait into European and Asian sides. A former capital of both the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, it brims with monumental history.
The crowning sights cluster in the Sultanahmet district: the magnificent domed Hagia Sophia, the elegant Blue Mosque with its cascade of domes and six minarets, the opulent Topkapi Palace of the Ottoman sultans, and the atmospheric underground Basilica Cistern. Wander the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar, take a ferry along the Bosphorus, and sample street food in lively neighborhoods.
The best time to visit is spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November), when daytime temperatures are mild and the crowds at major attractions are more manageable; April adds the colorful citywide tulip festival.
